Can Texas upset undefeated Vanderbilt? Uncover keys to victory and betting insights as the Longhorns seek a crucial home win.
Wednesday night in Austin comes with a little extra juice.
The Texas Longhorns welcome the undefeated Vanderbilt Commodores to town, and while the records may not match, the urgency absolutely does.
Texas enters at 10-6 overall and 1-2 in SEC play, still searching for rhythm as conference games pile up. Vanderbilt? A spotless 16-0 and 3-0 in the league, rolling into Austin with confidence, momentum, and the kind of body of work that gets respect even from opposing fans.
At home, Texas has been a different team. The Longhorns are 7-2 in Austin, averaging nearly 88 points per game and outscoring opponents by almost 13.
When Texas plays fast and comfortable, the offense hums and the crowd tends to follow suit. The challenge Wednesday night is to not let Vanderbilt dictate tempo early.
That won’t be easy.
The Commodores score 93 points per game and just put up 84 in a road win over LSU behind a 20-point night from Tyler Nickel. Vanderbilt isn’t flashy for the sake of it—they share the ball, protect it, and punish defensive lapses.
Vandy averages nearly 18 more points per game than Texas typically allows, which means every defensive possession matters.
Texas does have some natural pressure points to lean on.
The Longhorns knock down over eight 3s per game, slightly more than Vanderbilt usually allows. If Texas can stretch the floor early and force Vanderbilt into longer defensive rotations, that’s where cracks can form.
Much of that responsibility falls on Dailyn Swain, who has quietly become Texas’ tone-setter.
Swain fills the box score - points, rebounds, assists, steals - and does it without demanding the spotlight. He’s the kind of player coaches trust when games get choppy.
Right alongside him is Jordan Pope, who’s been scorching over the last 10 games, averaging 15.5 points while shooting over 48 percent. If Pope gets clean looks early, Texas’ offense looks very different.
Vanderbilt counters with balance.
Tanner runs the show, averaging 17.3 points and more than five assists per game, while Nickel has been steady as a metronome. The Commodores don’t overwhelm you with size, but they rebound well enough and defend just disciplined enough to stay in control.
The numbers say Vanderbilt has been the better team over the last 10 games.
The eye test says Texas is close to putting together a complete performance. That’s why this game matters so much.
Lose, and the SEC standings start to feel heavy. Win, and suddenly the Longhorns have a signature moment to build on.
Wednesday night, Texas would love to be that someone.
WHAT: Vanderbilt Commodores (16-0, 3-0 SEC) at Texas Longhorns (10-6, 1-2 SEC)
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 | 8 p.m. CT
WHERE: Moody Center | Austin, TX | Capacity 10,763
TV: ESPN2
RADIO: KVET-FM 98.1 | KVET-AM 1300
BETTING ODDS
SPREAD: UT +4.5
TOTAL: 166.5
MONEYLINE: UT +180 | Vandy -218